On this page

1. Housing

2. Social services

3. Health care

4. Financial services

5. Quality assurance

Housing

1. Housing Allowance (Επίδομα Στέγασης)

• Type: Means-tested cash benefit to support housing costs.
• Timeframe: Ongoing; established under Law 4472/2017 and implemented in subsequent years.
• Core aims: To reduce housing cost burdens for low- and middle-income households residing in rented housing by providing a monthly allowance.
• Main outcomes: Financial support (€70–€210 per month depending on household composition) for eligible households, facilitating access to rented housing.
• Target groups: Low-income households; young people living independently and young families may benefit if they meet income and eligibility criteria.
• Official information: Housing Allowance – Υπουργείο Κοινωνικής Συνοχής και Οικογένειας: https://minscfa.gov.gr/en/demographic-policy/housing-policy/housing-allowance/ 

2. Coverage Programme (Πρόγραμμα Κάλυψη)

• Type: Subsidised rental housing support.
• Timeframe: Implemented under Law 24777/2023; ongoing as part of housing policy.
• Core aims: To offer subsidised rent for three years to beneficiaries of the Guaranteed Minimum Income without first home ownership, promoting housing stability.
• Main outcomes: Financial subsidy for rent and related costs, contributing to housing security.
• Target groups: Young adults aged 25–39, particularly vulnerable households including single-parent families, families with children, and persons with disabilities.

More information: Coverage programme information on OPEKA website (site includes procedures and criteria): https://opeka.gr/stegasi/programma-kalypsi/

Social services

Municipal Community Centres (Κέντρα Κοινότητας)

• Type: Integrated local-level social service access points.
• Timeframe: Established nationwide since 2016; ongoing.
• Core aims: To provide information, guidance and referrals for social support services, including welfare benefits, housing assistance, employment services and psychosocial support.
• Main outcomes: Easier access to a range of social services through a single entry point; engagement with vulnerable populations.
• Target groups: All residents facing social exclusion, including young people experiencing vulnerability.

More information: https://www.kentrakoinotitas.gr/

Health care

1. National Programme (Προαγωγή Υγείας Οικογένειας και Παιδιού) - Ministry of Health & UNICEF)
In August 2024, the Ministry of Health signed a programme agreement with UNICEF for the “Promotion of Family and Child Health”, part of the national public health prevention strategy. Although this initiative covers all ages from children through families, it includes components directly relevant to adolescents and young people such as mental health literacy, early detection of developmental and emotional disorders, and health education aimed at young girls (e.g. period stigma reduction).
Official announcement: Ministry of Health and UNICEF launch programme “Promotion of family and child health” https://www.unicef.org/greece/en/press-releases/ministry-health-and-unicef-launch-programme-promotion-family-and-child-health

2. National Action on Self-Harm and Youth Mental Health Support (Αντιμετώπιση του Αυτοτραυματισμού στους Νέους)
In December 2025, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with UNICEF, launched for the first time in Greece a specialised programme addressing self-injury among young people. This initiative includes the establishment of a Model Community Centre for Youth Mental Health affiliated with the A’ Psychiatric Clinic of the University of Athens, which provides free clinical evaluation, individual and group therapy, and telepsychiatry services for adolescents and young adults (17–24) and their families. This represents a notable targeted health service aimed at a vulnerable youth cohort.
Ministry of Health press release on youth self-harm programme (UNICEF Greece site):  Ξεκίνησε το πρώτο Πρόγραμμα στην Ελλάδα για την αντιμετώπιση του αυτοτραυματισμού στους νέους

Financial services

Guaranteed Minimum Income (Ελάχιστο Εγγυημένο Εισόδημα) 

• Type: National financial support programme.
• Timeframe: 2017–present.
• Core aims: To provide a means-tested cash benefit guaranteeing a basic standard of living and linkage to social and labour market services.
• Main outcomes: Monthly financial support that reduces economic exclusion, combined with support to access other social services.
• Target groups: Low-income households; young people at risk of poverty are included if eligible.

Official information: Ελάχιστο Εγγυημένο Εισόδημα - ΟΠΕΚΑ

Quality assurance

Greece does not operate a single overarching quality assurance system dedicated specifically to services targeting young people’s social inclusion. Instead, quality assurance is embedded within individual policy areas and programmes through established mechanisms:

• Programme monitoring and reporting: Service delivery is monitored by responsible ministries and implementing agencies, such as OPEKA for benefits schemes; data collection includes applicant numbers and demographic breakdowns.
• Administrative oversight: Government bodies conduct periodic evaluations and audits of programmes, which may influence budget allocations and programme continuity.
• Compliance standards: Eligibility criteria and procedural rules set minimum standards for programme delivery, and failure to comply can result in administrative review or funding adjustments.

These mechanisms help ensure that services are delivered according to statutory requirements and reach their intended beneficiaries, including young people among other vulnerable groups.